Akureyri Travelers Recommend

From eerie lava fields to frozen glacial passes and thundering waterfalls, Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes have always felt lifted from the pages of a fairytale, so it was little wonder that location scouts chose it as a film location for HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones. Even if you’re not a diehard fan, touring Iceland’s Game of Thrones sites from Akureyri is a great way to discover some of the country’s most beautiful off-the-beaten-track locations. Doubling up on-screen as the icy wilderness North of the Wall, the picturesque Lake Mývatn region in North Iceland is equally bewitching and foreboding – the perfect setting for scenes with the wayward Wildings and the much-feared White Walkers. Here, fans can follow in the footsteps of the Jon Snow, Ygritte and the Free Folk as they journeyed to the Wall in Season 3; stand on the spot where the Night's Watch men were attacked by White Walkers in Season 1; and marvel at the glacial landscapes.

Akureyri’s small size makes it easy to get around on foot and there’s plenty to see and do in town. Check out landmarks like the Akureyrarkirkja church, built by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, and Einar Jónsson's sculpture The Outlaw, on route to the Lystigardur Botanic Garden, Iceland’s largest collection of plant and flower varieties. Pick up some souvenirs on Hafnarstræti, the town’s principal shopping street, then spend the afternoon visiting the city’s museums – the Akureyri Museum, the Akureyri Art Museum and the Iceland Aviation Museum are all worth a visit. North Iceland’s main sightseeing trail is nicknamed the Diamond Circle, a 260-kilometer loop between Húsavík and Lake Mývatn, and you could spend several days discovering the scenic Tjörnes peninsula and the vast Vatnajökull National Park along the way. If you’re pushed for time, a day tour is still enough to take in highlights like the mud pools of Hverir.